It is not, according to Scott Parker, only the fans who are going through the wringer at the current predicament of West Ham. Relegated, out of even the play-off places, divided, most of the best players sold in the summer and riven by angst and upset, the club feels anything but ‘United’ just now.
The players are going through it too, according to their newly appointed head coach. As the BBC.co.uk article today suggests, Parker sees it as his role to mend the fractured club:
“West Ham: New Boss Scott Parker out to heal ‘disconnect’ between team and angry fans”
…Claims their article, detailing the manager’s eyebrow-raising admission that his players are just as mortified as supporters over the club’s predicament:
“I see a desperate team.
100%, I see a bit of a desperate team……Desperate as in the sense there is a burden here at this moment.
“Like with anything when there is an expectation, whether it’s an expectation of my 12-year-old son doing his maths work, that can easily become a burden.
“A desperate team” – he’s not wrong.
“What I need to do is support this group and give them the belief and the confidence to show their real quality and for sure I will do that…..I can see the pain in these players. I see a committed group. It’s my job and my responsibility to try to get us pushing in the right direction.”
Just in case Parker didn’t have enough on his plate. Sometimes more than an arm round their shoulders, under performers need a break from the very thing that is causing them so much upset. There are on for two – Hermansen in particular – who looks as if he just needs a spell away from the limelight to go and rediscover how to do the basics of his job.
The weight of expectation is something that we’ve been highlighting for weeks and something Parker has to find a way to help his players handle better, for it is surely that which is causing the team to struggle so badly: Evidently the relegation hangover is far from cured just yet.
I appreciate Parker sees his role as a pastoral one. And an arm around the shoulder is definitely worthwhile for one or two of the current crop (Mavropanos, for example). For the majority though, I’d say just three little words are all Parker needs to take note of – boot, up and arse. The players are just not switching on from the kick off and it’s becoming really tedious.
All these expectations are n’t they from NES and senior managemet, probably also C&H stating every match is a must win. NES talk was of recruiting PL standard players (incredible but true) and he claimed by keeping him as manager, would keep experienced players at the club and therefore gain auto promotion? Also, bookies jumped on the band wagon. Auto promotion? What a joke.
However many players left, few recruited and NES turned out to be a dud.
I don’t know about fans thinking this. Usual expectation is playing good football, playing with spirit and so on.
If this is truly the impression players have, I think it originates from ex manager, club, C&H. So senior management should talk of a team in development with many youngsters, new management and waiting till WHU have played everyone in the league at least once. Most clubs talk of checking position after Xmas, NOT from the 1st match and every match after.
Message to reduce expectations should herald from club’s senior management but has not. Message to new manager is get us promoted or you might be on your bike, so….
Might experience another relegation if we are not careful JUST LOOK AT LEICESTER
“Without Sergio Busquets” I meant, before he sues me! 😊⚒️⚒️
For all the issues with nervous central defenders and goalkeeper, it really is unacceptable to play without a defensive midfielder sat in front of the back four. For all their dominance over the years Man City always had that position covered. Even the Barcelona of Pep’s time (possibly the best club team to ever play the game) would not have succeeded so wonderfully with Sergio Busquets. Why do we think we don’t need one?